The Baseball Buffet for 1/13/2026

The Blue Jays signed DH/OF Eloy Jiménez. According to an article by Thomas Harrigan at MLB, the Blue Jays are signing DH/OF Eloy Jiménez to a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training. The 29-year old didn’t play in the majors in 2025, and didn’t even do much in the minors either with a .247 average and only 3 HR in 54 games. In 2023 he had 18 HR and a .272 average in 120 games with the White Sox, and in 2022 he had 16 HR with a .295 average in 84 games.

So this is clearly a roll of the dice for the Blue Jays, and an opportunity for Jiménez to prove himself in Spring Training and compete for a job. If he catches on, then there is a potential fun name situation for the Jays—as they also have Leo Jiménez (no relation) who will be competing for a backup infielder role this spring too.

The Rays have acquired pitcher Ken Waldichuk and IF Brett Wisely from the Braves. According to an article by Adam Berry at MLB, the Rays have acquired LHP Ken Waldichuk and infielder Brett Wisely from the Braves in exchange for a player to be named later and cash considerations. Waldichuk, who just turned 28 a few days ago, pitched for the A’s in 2022 and 2023, but then had Tommy John Surgery in 2024. He had mixed results in his comeback at AAA in 2025 with 64 K in 51 IP, but with an unattractive 8.65 ERA. He will compete in spring training for a spot on the major league roster, but as Berry notes, he has Minor League options remaining so he could be sent to AAA and called upon later as needed.

Brett Wisley has played parts of the past three years in the majors, showing versatility in the field by playing 2B, SS, 3B, and OF. But he has only been a .214 hitter with a .265 OBP, and 7 HR in 466 career plate appearances. So he’ll need to really impress during spring training to get a spot as a reserve infielder with the Rays.

SABR National Convention. July 29-August 2, 2026, in Cleveland, OH. "The SABR national convention is an annual gathering of writers, researchers, fans, players, executives, scouts and many others throughout the baseball community. Attendance is open to all, regardless of SABR membership. The convention includes five days of activities and excursions, including dozens of research presentations, panel discussions and group trips to major league and minor league ballgames."

SABR Analytics Conference. February 27-March 1, 2026, Phoenix, AZ. "We’ll bring the top minds of the baseball analytic community to discuss, debate, and share insightful ways to analyze and examine the great game of baseball. The schedule will consist of guest speakers, panels and research presentations."

Frederick Ivor-Campbell 19th Century Base Ball Conference. April 24-25, 2026, Cooperstown, NY. "Hosted by SABR's Nineteenth Century Research Committee, join us at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown for a special event as we discuss a wide range of 19th-century baseball topics. The conference is open to all SABR members and non-member guests. The annual conference includes research presentations, panel discussions, spotlight interviews, and more."

Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference. Summer 2026 (exact dates TBD). "Since 1998, the Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference has been the only symposium dedicated exclusively to the examination and promotion of Black baseball history."

SABR/IWBC Women in Baseball Conference. September 18-20, 2026. "Our annual Women in Baseball Conference is co-sponsored by SABR and the International Women’s Baseball Center, and hosted by Rockford University. The 2026 conference will be a virtual event, with panels and presentations on Zoom."

SP Curt Schilling - Phillies (1992-2000), Diamondbacks (2000-03), Red Sox (2004-07)

SP Carlos Zambrano - Cubs (2001-11), Marlins (2012)

OF Bill Bruton - Braves (1953-60), Tigers (1961-64)

SP Gary Nolan - Reds (1967-77), Angels (1977)

RP Rick Aguilera - Mets (1985-89), Twins (1990-99), and two other clubs

SP Robbie Ray - Tigers (2014), Diamondbacks (2015-20), and three other clubs

RP Greg Minton - Giants (1977-87), Angels (1987-90)

RP Devin Williams - Brewers (2019-24), Yankees (2025)

1954: New team but similar results. "Veteran pitcher Murry Dickson is traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Philadelphia Phillies for pitcher Andy Hansen and infielder Jack Lohrke. Dickson led the National League in losses the past two years (21 and 19) and will lead it again in 1954 (20)."

1982: Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson are elected to the Hall of Fame. “Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson win election to the Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. Aaron established a major league record with 755 home runs, while Robinson led the Baltimore Orioles to two World Championships and was named Most Valuable Player in both the American and National Leagues, while also also becoming the first African-American manager in major league history. Aaron falls nine votes shy of becoming the first-ever unanimous selection, and his 97.8 election percentage is second only to Ty Cobb's 98.2 percent in the inaugural 1936 election.”

1988: Steve Garvey retires. “Longtime National League star Steve Garvey announces his retirement. Garvey played a total of 19 major league seasons, batting .294 with 272 home runs. Also a slick-fielding first baseman, Garvey helped the San Diego Padres to reach the 1984 World Series and contributed to National League pennants for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1974, when he was the National League MVP, 1977, 1978 and 1981, when they were World Champions.”

1991: Bo Jackson suffers a serious injury during an NFL playoff game. “While playing for the Oakland Raiders of the NFL, Bo Jackson suffers a career-threatening injury in an American Football Conference playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Originally diagnosed as a pulled thigh muscle, the Kansas City Royals learn of the severity of the injury just as spring begins. They will release Jackson shortly after, fearing that his baseball career is over, and he'll sign with the Chicago White Sox.”

13-year major league career, spanning from 1984-1998, with the Giants, Mets, Reds, and five other clubs

Two-time All-Star, including in 1989 when he hit .291 and led the NL with 47 HR and 125 RBI

Played 3B early in his career, then shifted to mostly playing LF

Hit 35 HR with 93 RBI in 1990, and then later batted .326 with 30 HR in only 95 games in 1994

Once made an incredible bare-handed catch in LF — see the article by Manny Randhawa at MLB for details, including a video clip

Overall had 234 HR, a .284/.360/.520 slash line, and a 142 OPS+

16-year major league pitching career, spanning from 1974-1989, almost entirely with the Cardinals

Won 15+ games three times, including in 1977 when he posted a 20-7 record and 3.48 ERA

Per Wikipedia, he is the only player in Cardinals team history to pitch more than one no-hitter, which he did in 1978 and 1983. He and Ken Forsch are the only brothers to both throw a no-hitter in the majors.

Was a fairly good hitter for a pitcher, with a .213 average and 12 HR, 8 triples, and 45 doubles in 1,041 plate appearances

Overall had a 168-136 (.553) record and a 3.76 ERA

4-year major league pitching career, spanning from 2004-2007, with two years each with the Padres and Rangers

Was an effective reliever in his native Japan for seven seasons, posting 137 saves and a 2.39 ERA

Had a 1.75 ERA over 77.1 IP and 73 appearances in his age-32 season with the Padres in 2004

Then in 2006 he posted 32 saves with a 2.11 ERA for the Rangers, and overall had a 2.44 ERA for his four years in the majors

Ranking each division winner’s chances to repeat, by Will Leitch at MLB, 1/12/2026

Here are the Top 10 right-handed pitching prospects for 2026, by Sam Dykstra at MLB, 1/12/2026

A Hall of Famer In Two Countries, by Benjamin Chase at Here's the Pitch: the IBWAA Newsletter, 1/12/2026